Welcome to Marking Period 3! The next few months will go by quickly, especially as it warms up!

Here are a few reminders and updates...

Students:

• Make a plan to engage in asynchronous learning and complete assignments on time.
• Submit your work on Wednesdays and Sundays by 11:59 pm.
• Attend Office Hours and the Drop-In Center to ask questions and get help.
• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate with your teachers, counselors, administrators, and families to share struggles and successes.
• Do your best!

Parents/Caretakers:

• Sign up to receive notifications from Schoology, our learning management system, about your child's work submission, grades, etc. It has a real-time accuracy that Infinite Campus does not due to syncing.
• Work with your teen to develop a plan for work completion, especially during the sports and activities seasons coming up.
• Let us know if you need any assistance, have questions, or simply want to share good news!

DCA /BVA Partnership for 2025-2026 - K-8th Grades

• Discuss with your family and school counselor your future aspirations regarding college and/or career and an academic plan with courses you should take during your high school years.
• Decide upon which programs you would be interested in via DCA, TCHS, Dual-Enrollment/Dual-Credit, and/or your home building.
• Ask questions to get a better understanding of what is expected.
• If you missed the DCA HS Course Selection Night, you can view it below.
• Aim high! Challenge yourself with a higher level course or AP.

Let's work together to ensure every student meets with success.

Stay warm during this frigid weekend!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kecia Nesmith

Principal of the Downingtown Cyber Academy and Supervisor of Teaching & Learning

• 1/28 - DW Course Selection Night - 6:30 PM

• 1/29 - 2/7 - Course Selection for 2025-2026 School Year
• 1/31 - MP 2 Report Cards in Infinite Campus Backpack
• 2/3 - 2/7 - National School Counseling Week - Celebrate your School Counselor!

• 2/10 - 2/19 - Counselors will meet with students to finalize course selection

• 2/14 - Valentine's Day

• 2/17 - President's Day - NO SCHOOL

• 2/19 - Final date for students to make request changes through their counselors

• 2/25 - Cultural Equity Task Force Meeting @ 3:45 PM

Correction to video information regarding home building Course Selection Nights:

DEHS - Tuesday, 1/21

STEM - Thursday, 1/23

DWHS - Tuesday, 1/28

Click here to access directions and tutorials to log on to our student information and course platforms.

We are writing to inform you of an update regarding the online learning program for the 2025-2026 school year. The Downingtown Cyber Academy (DCA) has been partnering with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) for grades K-6. Following a cost-benefit analysis, we will extend this partnership to include grades 7 and 8 beginning next school year.

This change will allow us to continue providing high-quality online learning opportunities for our students in a fiscally responsible manner.

Key Details for the Transition:

• Grades K-6: The current program will remain unchanged.

• Grades 7-8: Online learning for these grade levels will be delivered through BVA, offering synchronous and asynchronous learning options.

• Special Education Services: These services will continue to be provided in person at the home school building, ensuring that students with special needs receive appropriate support in their educational environment.

• Students will remain part of the Downingtown Area School District and will continue to have access to all opportunities available in their home school buildings.

We understand you may have questions regarding this change. To provide more details, we will host a " DCA/BVA Information Session" on February 25, 2025. More information will be shared soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kecia Nesmith
Principal & Supervisor of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Robert Reed

Assistant Superintendent

We’re excited to invite you to participate in something special — the Downingtown Cyber Academy Student Advisory Group!

We want YOUR voice to help shape the future of our academy. As a member of this group, you’ll have the chance to share your thoughts and feedback on the academy’s classes, challenges, successes, and ways we can improve. Your input will make a big difference in creating a program that truly meets the needs of students like YOU!

Why should you join?

• Share your thoughts on what’s working and what can be better
• Help us design new opportunities and activities
• Have your voice heard by leaders and decision-makers
• Earn recognition and possibly community service hours

Who can join? All high school and middle school students in the Downingtown Cyber Academy who are passionate about making a difference!

How to apply: Fill out the Google Form linked below to express your interest by March 1, 2025. We’ll be reviewing submissions and will notify you if you’ve been selected for the advisory group.

Sign-up Link -Downingtown Cyber Academy Student Advisory Group Interest Form

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more info - cyberacademy@dasd.org. We can’t wait to hear from you and see how you can help shape the future of the Downingtown Cyber

Read about it HERE.

**IMPORTANT DEADLINES**

Application Opens: Fall 2024

Submission Deadline: January 30, 2025

Award Announcement: April 1, 2025

Cultural Equity Taskforce will be back in February!

Next CETF Meeting will be February 24th 2024 at 3:45 pm

Join our team by contacting JBrown@dasd.org.

All DCA students are considered students in their home buildings even if they are full-time DCA. Please check your child's school below for upcoming events and activities in which they can participate!

We are partnering with the Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) within the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to provide instruction and teachers for students in grades K-6 who wish to learn online. Students will follow the school year calendars provided by the BVA.

• Virtual Voyagers hosts monthly events where students converse, connect, collaborate, and create. Virtual event themes include family & community events, special guests, game days, specials activities (art, music, movement), and STEM opportunities. Join us on the second Wednesday each month here: https://cciu.zoom.us/my/virtualvoyagers

***DCA/BVA Families: The 2nd semester/ 3rd Marking period begins on 1/16. Please be sure that your child completes all assignments and have communicated any needed electives for the 2nd half of the year.

Please visit our DCA website at dc.dasd.org for more information.

Backpack Resources

Email: cyberacademy@dasd.org
Website: dc.dasd.org
Location: 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-269-8460
Facebook: http://facebook.com/dca
Twitter: @dasd_dca